He'd set a date for that 'checkup', refused a hunt with Howard and they argued Tony claiming he was working an important project Howard insisting it could not be more important than a hunt. An offensive and demeaning to both sides heated quarrel ensued at the threshold of Tony's room that had to be broken up and Tony retired inside shut the door which at banged Howard spewing more insults that off Tony swatted, fuming focused on the op triple-checking every process.

Loki'd sooner appeared asked him what was wrong as it was on his face but Tony smiled and reassured him that all was set and it was time to get moving. He apparated them behind the diner in town where offways Nat and Clint'd hid the car they'd taken as though to an op, one for a 'personal friend' and they had given a name and place and status, as ops were only assigned by a head or Hill and Coulson.

Loki had prior flied over to Delaware and made close enough to the facility so he could to it apparate later, teleports them to a car the facility's standard SUV model. He hands IDs to the three and with a spell swaps their faces, Natasha the driver, Clint the analyst, and Tony the technician.

With lines memorized and layout they drive to the facility Loki's with them in the car no one speaks save on tactics, till they're close enough and he disappears as with the IDs they're let past the checkpoint.

Unlike the pair Tony's not as used to covert missions so if this were unnerving for them it's twice as bad for him – they steel their nerves remain composed as he and Clint are scanned and Natasha's ushered to a parking. As he'd predicted a guard takes their side watching every movement close gesturing down pathways to the security room first.

Down the hallway where Clint in spite of them is asked to remain are two other guards. Tony's let in to the security room and warily Clint glances at the armed guards who back glare sternly, looks forth takes a breath, waits, hoping Tony doesn't blow this, he and the very unpredictable and currently unhinged tribrid – part of him a great deal doubts the guards inside will survive this – calms himself – he and Nat should not have consented – too late now.

Tony logs into the system 'checking' and 'updating' it as they were informed he would. Once the alarms are disabled all he must is speak Loki's name then there he was with speed faster than light knocked every guard before they'd blinked out of conscious – Clint hears a thud tenses tries not to react lest the guards there notice.

A beat then the door opens out calmly stepped Tony, and their 'escort', who silent gestured forth and past those guards they're allowed some turns then down with a valid access card they've to the storage room gained access.

No guards stand inside they pace on Tony leads seeking the relics more important. They've time as they're expected to spend some with the analyst. Tony describes each relic and Loki looks them over, was aware as was Tony of Clint's distaste to the endeavor entirely – neither cared. Once done the relics Loki takes them vanishing in thin air to his third-dimensional pocket.

Out again they make past those guards towards the exit, step out to the van where anxious Nat waits, have to leave Loki behind as 'visibly' he works there. Off they drove some minutes he steps aside disappears, around the time the knocked-out guards awaken.

He shows up in the van that they take far, far from eyes drench in gasoline and set aflame, apparate away.

By the car near the diner they'd parked they appear Loki despells their faces. Scarcely words between him and the pair were exchanged he was not in the mood very obviously, put to Tony's arm then a hand with him vanished, and troubled still Nat and Clint drove back to the mansion.

To stash vampire blood was one thing, fall in love with a superhuman another, but help not one but many, an entire pack – arm them, so vastly empower them – superhumans!

Superhumans, that half their lives, were the problem…

They cannot around this grasp their minds but what moreso troubles and truly, concerns them, was knowing without doubt that if – no when, there be a fight, at the very center Tony will stand – how foolish he was, how aggravated and set as Loki looked and sounded…Loki who though they for some reason suspect, would not actually permit his in-battle involvement, relentless Tony would find a way around him and be there – he cannot.

He would be killed doubtless…

…Somehow they end with the conclusion, that they themselves would have to keep that from happening. They'll not let him off a cliff march blindly.

XXX

The same manner of thought by Bruce and James was adopted, when Tony'd asked the former for help analyzing the relics he'd kept to utilize in weaponry or armor for the pack along the rest of the many gadgets that in quick time he must make. The latter was less lenient argued he and the others but Tony would snap and shout on such an edge – it didn't help, the state that in which they'd witness Loki, who'd set a port that Tony could use in his room connecting to the lab at the DC apartment. He'd taken Bruce there as the equipment was more advanced and would expedite the process. So short on time those who wished to with him speak often were waved away, as for those who knew and were annoyingly persistent, except Nick, he'd take to the lab so he could pretend to listen and continue working.

Loki would appear hours later entirely indifferent to their presence barely registers it, scowling or visibly weary, be it of listening to Thor or much of anyone speak, of hearing of Odin's obstinance, or of the effort it'd take him, to watch and study the enemy so closely, and not act, not charge not kill in as many numbers.

He'd briefly greet whoever's there if he would at all, addressing Tony with exasperated complaints or short, near incoherent words and Tony would smile, grasp his hand done a softer tone guide him out asking Bruce to continue, hours later returns, browns absent face frowning tone when asked tested, says either Loki had slept or left to resume the prolonged and overcomplicated endeavors of family quarrels, pack division and high-risk reconnaissance.

No one further probed there's nothing to inquire, nothing they could say because,

a loss, a life lost, and to witness a loved one in mourning; horrors no one wished to see let alone feel.

They empathize, but they're scared for him.

Not of Loki whom none had adequate time nor reason to trust but at least trusted would not, deliberately, harm Tony.

…But is he not, by allowing his involvement?

They'd have been relieved that day post all the preparations, in a sense even grew to respect him,

but after the tireless hours that Tony had worked and the sheer equipment, of armor and weaponry for werewolves unable to turn on command, witch-detecting goggles and vampire traps, the relic he and Loki'd fashioned into a necklace so the latter'd be immune to vervain smoke-bombs, and the location of defense he'd helped him choose when, with traceable reluctance, Loki'd shown him the map he'd best he could charted of the old mine the enemy at resided,

it wasn't enough it seemed; he had to be there in person.